GRAND RAPIDS, MI - West Michigan school officials are encouraged that the Michigan Legislature is taking steps to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, to those younger than 18, as well as their use.

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that provide doses of nicotine via a vaporized solution. They can come in flavors like strawberry and vanilla. The users' ability to ingest nicotine without tobacco has created a loophole that allows minors to purchase the devices.

“This is a legitimate issue of concern regarding children,” said John Helmholdt, communications director for Grand Rapids Public Schools, who said use of the devices has not been a major student issue in the district. “Nicotine is an addictive substance and needs to be regulated in relation to children.”

Helmholdt said the district's tobacco policy was updated in 2013 to reflect the emergence of the devices.

“I applaud legislators for trying to curtail the sale of e-cigarettes to young people,” said Rockford Superintendent Mike Shibler. “We treat the electronic cigarettes like regular cigarettes. The potential health hazards have not been determined.”

Shibler said he would like to see the Food and Drug Administration move swiftly on this issue.

FDA has issued a proposed rule that would extend the agency’s tobacco authority to cover additional products that meet the legal definition of a tobacco product, such as e-cigarettes.

In the meantime, at least 34 states have prohibited the sale of electronic cigarettes or vaping or alternative tobacco products to minors, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The percentage of U.S. middle and high school students who use e-cigarettes, more than doubled from 2011 to 2012, according to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since e-cigarettes have not been fully studied, the FDA says consumers currently don’t know:

• The potential risks of e-cigarettes when used as intended.

• How much nicotine or other potentially harmful chemicals are being inhaled during use.

• Whether there are any benefits associated with using these products.

Additionally, officials say it is not known whether e-cigarettes may lead young people to try other tobacco products such as conventional cigarettes, known to cause disease and lead to premature death.

The measure was supported by the West Michigan delegation, Democrats and Republicans. Several were among co-sponsors, including state Reps. Lisa Posthumus Lyons, R-Alto, chair of the education committee; Tom Hooker, R-Byron Township; Ken Yonkers, R-Caledonia; and Peter MacGregor, R-Cannon Township.

Proponents prefer the approach taken in the Outman and Senate bills, under which the sale of devices are banned, but vapor and alternative nicotine products would not be classified and regulated as tobacco.

Under Outman's bill, employees who sell to minors would be subject to a $50 fine and possibly ordered to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction program. Minors could face punishment ranging from community service to a program.